Digital Commons Network^™

The Intersection Of Abuse, Child Welfare, And The Law For Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: Gender Violence As An Antagonistic Social Force, Julio Montanez

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Intimate partner violence (IPV)—as gender violence—pits children’s civil rights and women’s civil liberties against each other. To explore this phenomenon, the current work features five (5) studies that aim to understand the systemic consequences of IPV and child maltreatment for victims and survivors of both types of abuse.

• Study 1 is a qualitative-deductive study featuring a directed content analysis of news media pertaining to a trial court case on lethal child maltreatment and IPV.
• Study 2 is a qualitative-inductive study featuring a feminist critical discourse analysis of trial court data on lethal child maltreatment and IPV.
• Study 3 is a …

Revolution In The Age Of Social Media: A Mathematical Model For Information, Dissent, And Stability, Killian Muollo

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Revolutions, defined by Skocpol as rapid transformations in class, state, and/or social structures, are important world events that can cause civil wars, spark international trends, and result in transitions toward democratic and autocratic regimes alike. They are characterized largely by the mechanism of mass mobilization, which is increasingly facilitated by online networks and digital communication. In this dissertation, we investigate such means and outcomes of revolutions as dynamical systems. We construct three models describing separate but complementary aspects of revolution, beginning at the smallest unit of analysis and then moving outward in scope. First, we construct a graph-based model to …

Sensitivity Analysis Of Tuned And Intentionally Mistuned Blisks To Random Mistuning, Tate A. Myers

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The vibrational behavior of bladed disks, or blisks, is highly sensitive to variations in its cyclic symmetry due to variations in mass, stiffness, damping, or a combination of these factors. These inconsistencies can arise from manufacturing tolerance inconsistencies, operational wear, impacts during usage, and intentional mistuning. This thesis develops an analysis of the sensitivity of both tuned and intentionally mistuned blisks to random mistuning in their structural properties. Sobol sampling combined with state-space eigen-analysis is utilized to develop a set of randomly mistuned systems. Modal Assurance Criterion is used to track the mode shapes of each randomly mistuned system back …

Enhancing The Immersive Experience Through The Diversification Of Operational Costuming, Emma Nevitt

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This thesis will be a comparative creative project that analyzes current operational wardrobe options within immersive lands, utilizing case studies and applied research, a neutral proposed immersive land will be created with operational costuming options that provides variety to the operational wardrobe that will enhance the immersive guest experience by creating a more compelling environment through wardrobe diversity. This will be achieved through a kit-of-parts approach where staffing will have a small variety of tops, bottoms, headwear, outerwear, and accessories to create a unique look to their own wardrobe while providing narrative insight. Each piece will be designed specifically for …

Magic In The Margins: A Painter's Ode To Love, Loss, And Laughter, Angelina B. Palmisano

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

In art, there lives a gift of transcendence with power to transport the viewer into another realm of thought and imagination beyond the limitations of our physical world. This thesis, Magic in the Margins: A Painter’s Ode to Love, Loss, and Laughter, is an exploration of the ways art can serve as both sanctuary and vessel for storytelling. Satire is used to criticize vices, and subtle humor is my tool to resonate serious content necessary for authentic self-reflection. I am investigating how to use painting as a means to make deeply intimate and visceral connections. Each canvas exploring the innermost, …

A Theoretical Study Of Molecular Photoionization: Applications To Molecules Of Astrophysical And Atmospheric Interest, Conner Penson

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This thesis is devoted to the development of the model for total molecular photoionization spectra which is general to diatomic molecules and the application of this model to two benchmark systems, CH and N2, for verification. This model combines multi-channel quantum defect theory, first-principles ab initio molecular calculations, and vibrational frame transformation to accurately model molecular photoionization and electron impact including vibrational dynamics. The scattering data and transition dipole moments for the molecular systems were calculated using R-matrix method through the UKRMol+ codes. A vibrational frame transformation is then performed and multi-channel quantum defect theory is used to calculate closed …

Adaptability And Applications Of Advanced Laser Absorption Diagnostics In High-Pressure Shock Tube Environments, Lucas R. Pitts

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Theoretical application and physical implementation of various laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) diagnostics are examined within a high-pressure shock tube facility. Research focuses on the rationale behind the specific optical alignment layouts used across three distinct experimental campaigns, detailing the methodology required to maintain signal integrity in varied reacting flow environments. The first research campaign addresses the pyrolysis of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) solid propellant binders for solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) applications by measuring the species time histories of alkenes and aromatics. Alignment configurations prioritized beam stability and signal strength for the decoupling of overlapping absorption features to ensure measurements accurately …

Examining Attrition In Rtms For Smoking Cessation: The Roles Of Perceived Research Burden And Delay Discounting, Miranda Proctor

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This secondary analysis examined predictors of attrition in a randomized clinical trial conducted by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center evaluating repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for cigarette smoking cessation. Smoking cessation reduces cancer risk and mortality and improves mental health outcomes. Although rTMS shows promise for supporting sustained abstinence by targeting neurobiological mechanisms underlying nicotine dependence, participant attrition threatens statistical validity, reduces power, and limits generalizability. Identifying predictors of attrition is therefore critical for optimizing trial design and retention.

Research examining predictors of attrition in smoking cessation trials remains limited. Prior work in other clinical populations suggests that higher perceived …

Study Of Compressibility Of Flames In Scramjet Combustors, Anirudh Ranganathan

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Viable forms of propulsion for practical hypersonic flight are of great interest in modern times, of which supersonic combustion ramjets(scramjets) are a very advantageous option. Compared to ramjets, which are severely limited by increasing total pressure loss and dissociation effects, scramjets offer a much more efficient form of propulsion in the Mach 6 – 8 regime. Despite this, a common and unmitigated issue facing scramjet technology is scramjet unstart.

Prior investigations researching scramjet unstart have elucidated global heat release considerations in relation to total fueling or combustion modes as a result of global heat release . Minimal work has been …

Multibody Acausal Framework For Structural Dynamics Of Offshore Support Structures With Hydroelasticity And Soil-Structure Interaction, Saad Rahman

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Offshore energy systems present significant challenges in support structure design due to their scale and the strong coupling between aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, and structural subsystems. These interactions make traditional sequential modeling approaches inefficient for design exploration. Acausal modeling frameworks address this limitation by enabling direct integration of coupled subsystems without reformulating governing equations, improving computational efficiency while preserving physical fidelity. This supports rapid exploration of large design spaces, accelerates iteration cycles, and shortens the path from concept to deployment.

This thesis develops and validates an acausal multibody elastodynamics model for offshore support structures. The framework includes structural flexibility to capture member-level …

Design And Characterization Of A Jet Nozzle Using Particle Image Velocimetry, Valerie K. Rodriguez

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This paper presents the design and experimental characterization of the jet exit velocity from a supersonic nozzle injecting into a low-pressure vacuum chamber using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The PIV method is employed to overcome limitations encountered in prior experiments characterizing a jet-in-crossflow, such as qualitative shock visualization and insufficient data on jet exit properties. The previous set of experiments used Classical Schlieren to visualize the flow as well as emission measurement with IR detectors. For the fuel injection cases, particular emphasis is placed on preventing condensation within the injection line and at the nozzle exit due to under expanded …

Monitoring Shifts In Estuarine Microbial Communities: A Dna-Metabarcoding Approach, Ashley M. Reaume

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Estuarine microbial communities, including plankton, algae, and bacteria, play important roles in nutrient cycling and food web structure. They are sensitive to changes in abiotic conditions, and shifts in community composition can provide insight into estuarine ecosystem functioning in the face of various physiochemical and anthropogenic stressors. Therefore, monitoring these communities is essential for understanding and maintaining estuarine health. DNA metabarcoding is an emerging technique for enhancing biological monitoring, allowing for the detection of multiple species within a single sample. This dissertation first focuses on how methodological decisions impact DNA metabarcoding results and then implements these optimized methods to perform …

Black Mothers' Experiences Of Birth Trauma: A Conceptual Analysis And Mixed-Methods Study To Advance Perinatal Mental Health Counseling, Lisa Rickman

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This dissertation study follows the manuscript model and consists of two manuscripts, one conceptual manuscript and one empirical study, both focusing on the experiences of Black mothers following psychologically and physically traumatic childbirth. The conceptual manuscript centers birth trauma within the social, historical, and cultural contexts of perinatal mental health disparities and obstetric racism. This framework guides clinicians in centering Black mothers’ needs utilizing Relational Cultural Theory to promote equitable perinatal mental health practice. The empirical study employs a phenomenological sequential mixed methods approach prioritizing interview data collected from Black mothers who experienced birth trauma. This study also explores their …

Shock Tube Speciation Analysis Of Hydrocarbon Mixtures Relevant To Solid Fuel Combustion, Diego N. Ruiz Pena

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Solid Fuel Ramjets (SFRJs) are often used in tactical applications due to their simplicity, robustness, and reliability. No moving parts, atmospheric oxidizer usage, and scalable fuel grain designs make them a great solution for compact, high-speed air-breathing propulsion systems. SFRJs operate by compressing incoming air through a fixed geometry inlet and directing it over a regressing solid fuel surface, where pyrolysis gases are released and transported downstream to the combustion chamber where thrust is generated. Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is a commonly used fuel binder in SFRJ systems due to its high energy density, stable combustion behavior, and ease of processing. …

A Frequency-Dependent Hydrodynamic Modeling Framework For Offshore Platforms With Optimization-Based Parameter Identification, Md. Rafid-Ul Haque Sakif

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Accurate prediction of hydrodynamic loads on offshore platforms requires drag coefficients that adequately capture their dependence on wave frequency. However, conventional implementations of Morison’s equation generally assume constant drag coefficients across the entire frequency spectrum, which can lead to inaccuracies in predicting platform responses under complex sea-state conditions. To address this limitation, this study proposes a frequency-dependent hydrodynamic modeling framework in which the platform response is decomposed into distinct frequency regions, specifically low-frequency and high-frequency components. Separate drag coefficients are assigned to each region to better represent the underlying flow physics. The decomposition is achieved using filtering techniques in the …

Source Credibility And Chatbots: How Design Factors Impact Chatbot Effectiveness, Kristen M. Schmidt

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Source credibility theory states that the more credible a source appears to be, the more likely one is to believe both true and untrue information from it. In the modern day, misinformation is considered a major problem, particularly with virtual communication, meaning it is essential to study what factors influence a system’s source credibility. Virtual agents are a particularly relevant subject of study given that their source credibility can be impacted by both technological and social factors. Across three experiments, this dissertation utilized a novel chatbot interaction design to test how varying design factors would impact a chatbot’s source credibility …

Bond Behavior Of Uhpc-Nsc Interfaces For Bridge Deck Repair Under Flexural Loading, Larissa Santiago La Banca

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The use of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has increased due to its superior mechanical properties and strong bond with normal-strength concrete (NSC). It is widely used as a repair material, particularly in bridge decks, where maintenance remains a challenge. However, the interface between UHPC and NSC is often the weakest region of the composite system and requires careful evaluation.

This study investigates the bond behavior between UHPC and NSC using different surface preparations, test setups, and UHPC materials. The experimental program included unreinforced beams with vertical interfaces tested under three- and four-point flexural loading, and reinforced slabs with horizontal interfaces …

Tl;Dr (Too Long; Didn't Read): Examining The Assessment And Causes Of Careless Responding Within Experimental Vignette Studies, David L. Sexton Jr.

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Careless responding occurs when participants answer survey items without considering their content and poses a serious threat to data quality. However, while past research has examined its deleterious effects on both survey and low-stakes cognitive ability measures, little research has focused on careless responding in experimental vignette methodology (EVM) research. EVM studies require participants to attend to one or more experimental vignettes, which are carefully crafted written scenarios designed to manipulate a focal variable across conditions. However, if participants are careless in attending to study vignettes, they may not be exposed to the researchers’ intended experimental manipulations, thereby precluding them …

Defect-Guided And Energy-Driven Unfolding With Learning-Based Strategies: From Geometries With Compact Refolding To Garments, Shah Wasif Sazzad

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Unfolding and folding are related geometric and mechanical transformations fundamental to structural applications. Particularly, unfolding curved surfaces is important for deployable structures, garment pattern generation, etc. A central challenge is minimizing geometric distortion between a surface and its unfolded counterpart avoiding overlaps. As regions of lower Gaussian curvature typically produce less distortion during flattening, identifying curvature distribution becomes essential. Topological defects in a particle assembly on a surface in its minimum interaction-energy configuration indicate regions of concentrated curvature. In this work, an unfolding method is proposed that segments the surface using defects' location. Cutlines connecting the defects isolate lower curvature …

Data-Driven Seismic Site Classification Using Earthquake And Microtremor Horizontal-To-Vertical Spectral Ratios, Sanidhya Sharma

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The prevailing seismic site classification parameter, the time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the upper 30 meters (V_S30), provides an incomplete representation of site conditions, neglecting deeper geology, impedance contrasts, and resonance phenomena. This thesis developed and validated a data-driven framework for seismic site classification based on the full spectral shape of Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) curves combined with unsupervised machine learning, through two complementary research studies. Research 1 applied K-means clustering to earthquake-based HVSR (eHVSR) data from 3,186 ground motion stations across California and adjacent regions, identifying four physically distinct site clusters, characterized by low-frequency, very-low-frequency, high-frequency, and …

The Middle Space: Redefining Collaborative Directing In Adaptive American Collegiate Theatre, Tyler J. Simons

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This thesis examines collaborative directing as an adaptive, relational practice that exists between rigid hierarchical authorship and fully collectivized creation. Challenging dominant binaries in directing discourse that frame leadership as either singular or egalitarian, this study argues for a “middle space” in which authority, authorship, and responsibility are continually negotiated in response to institutional structures, pedagogical contexts, and interpersonal dynamics. Directing is framed not as a fixed methodology or ideological position, but as a responsive practice shaped by context. Grounded in a practice-as-research (PaR) methodology, the thesis analyzes four productions: Rhinoceros (Theatre UCF, 2024), The Tricks of Scapin (Freedom High …

Experimental Rate Feedback Control Of A Model-Scale Hourglass-Shaped Heaving Point Absorber, James R. Halverson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Buoy geometry greatly affects a point absorber wave energy converter's dynamic response to waves. Finding the optimal buoy shape and control method remains an open research area focused on maximizing the conversion of wave kinetic energy into electricity. This work presents an experimental comparison of closed-loop energy extraction between a cylindrical and a truncated cone buoy, both with the same submerged volume, across various wave frequencies and amplitudes. To ensure a fair comparison, the optimal rate feedback gain is calculated for each buoy at each wave condition. Multiple metrics, including power output, capture width, and actuator force, are used to …

Report On A Gpr Survey Of The Copper Harbor Cemetery, Copper Harbor, Michigan, Grace Griffin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Copper Harbor Cemetery in Grant Township, Michigan, is one of the oldest settler cemeteries in the Keweenaw, with the earliest burial dating back to 1853. The cemetery is also still used by the community today. However, consistent burial records have not been maintained throughout the cemetery's entire history, leading to some doubt about which areas of the cemetery can be opened for new burials and where excavation should be avoided. For this reason, Grant Township commissioned a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the cemetery, primarily to locate anomalies indicating possible unmarked graves and possible buried headstones. The survey …

Numerical And Experimental Evaluation Of A Simple, Low-Energy Lunar Volatile Separation Technology, Eleanor L. Zimmermann

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the practice of finding, extracting, and using the local resources found on extraterrestrial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars. ISRU enables in-situ production of mission consumables—such as rocket fuel and potable water—which will be critical for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, a goal NASA intends to accomplish by 2028 with the Artemis missions. The separation and liquefaction of locally extracted volatiles—such as water, CO₂, and Methane—is an essential component in lunar surface sustainability, but there are very few technologies being developed for this purpose. This report introduces the Radiative …

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Additively Manufactured Parts Using Resonant Inspection And Frequency Domain-Based Correlation Criteria, Gita Deonarain

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of highly customized and geometrically complex components; however, these parts remain susceptible to a wide range of defect types and severities. The combination of complex geometries and distributed defects presents a significant challenge for post-process nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Conventional inspection techniques, such as computed tomography and ultrasonic testing, are often limited by geometry, material, accessibility, and cost, while in situ monitoring is not yet sufficiently mature to replace post-process inspection.

This dissertation establishes the Frequency Domain Assurance Criterion (FDAC) as a quantitative, vibration-based framework for defect detection in AM components. FDAC captures spatial–spectral correlations …

The Excess Path Length Distribution: A Stochastic Model For Sample-Based Path Planners, Chaz B. Cornwall

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Through random sampling, sample-based path planners enable autonomous agents to quickly find paths without human intervention. However, due to the paths' randomness, sample-based path planners currently require additional verification, partially nullifying agents' ability to act autonomously. I set out to characterize this uncertainty so humans know what to expect from these path planners and know how to alter the path planner to desired specifications. To ensure the results are theoretical as well as practical, I first create a stochastic model of path length uncertainty using the trade-off between sampling time and optimality. By leveraging this model, my proposed algorithm reduces …

Modeling Determinants Of Significant Noncompliance In The U.S. Mining Sector: A Fixed Effects Logistic Regression Approach, Eli Johnson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study examines environmental compliance behavior among mining facilities regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA). Using a national quarterly panel of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)-permitted mining facilities, the analysis evaluates whether local socioeconomic and demographic indicators are associated with the likelihood that a facility enters significant noncompliance (SNC) status. Facility compliance histories are compiled from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database and is merged with county- and state-level socioeconomic indicators and election data. A fixed-effects logistic regression model is used to account for time-invariant facility heterogeneity. The results suggest that …

Microgravity-Induced Alterations In Left Atrial Hemodynamics And Thrombogenic Risk: Insights From Healthy And Atrial Fibrillation Models, Grace M. Hoeppner

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Background: Microgravity exposure alters cardiovascular loading, yet its impact on left atrial flow dynamics and thrombotic risk remains poorly understood. This study investigates how spaceflight-relevant microgravity-induced changes in cardiac outflow affect left atrial hemodynamics in healthy individuals and patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patient-specific left atrial models were generated for three healthy individuals and three AF patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using each patient’s baseline mitral outflow waveform and two modified waveforms representing short- and long-duration post-flight cardiac loading changes derived from echocardiographic observations. Hemodynamic metrics included left atrial velocity, time averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear …

Shm For Incipient Buckling Detection In Overloaded Structures Using Nonlinear System Identification Algorithms On Redundant Data Sets, Padmanabh Shridhar Desai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Structural health monitoring (SHM) detects and characterizes damage to predict failure, but failures such as buckling, which are not predicated on traditional damage modalities, are harder to detect. Direct load measurements are costly and difficult to implement (especially for dead loads) as they require copious numbers of sensors, which must be installed before loading is present. Vibration-based detection is a good alternative because it can infer global structural characteristics with relatively few sensors. This dissertation presents an SHM approach for detecting incipient buckling in structures under excessive loads based on non-linear models fit from measurements of small lateral vibrations due …

Development And Calibration Of A 2-D Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Filter (Docf) Model With Spatially Varying Washcoats Using Spacims And Engine Loading Data, Thomas K. Price

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Diesel engine exhaust contains regulated species, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (PM). Meeting increasingly stringent emission standards typically requires multiple aftertreatment components, motivating the development of multifunctional devices that reduce system size, cost, and catalyst usage. Computational models are essential for guiding this design process; however, existing models primarily focus on single-function devices and rarely capture the behavior of multifunctional systems with multiple catalyst washcoats. This work presents a physics-based model of a wall-flow diesel oxidation catalyst filter (DOCF), a multifunctional device that integrates the roles of a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter …